Four weeks to our move and a gardening challenge. New word of the month is TRUST .

The new project.

In four weeks time we will be unloading the lorry and moving into the new house. I have very mixed feelings about it. If you have followed these blogs, you will know how difficult The Curate and I  find the separation and travelling, due to me not getting a job on the north coast and not wanting to give up work (which is situated on the South Coast.). The sun is shining, the sea is beckoning and the north coast looks at its best. I think of last summer and the ease of going to the beach and bodyboarding. Then I look at my blogs across the winter and I am reminded of the travelling. The Curate can't quite understand why I am feeling like this - I wanted the move. (Does that mean I am the cause of the move?) New word of the month is TRUST.

The builders are in!

The Curate is back at work after a lovely break and he is hearing - "I do wish you didn't have to move" or similar comments from people he visits. I expect that he is thinking that too but in true military fashion, he just says to me that we have to get on with the next stage. I guess that means looking forward not back. So I have been to visit the new house which is having a major overhaul and has the builders in. We are taking over another house that has a very neglected garden and I have been spending evenings there trying to begin a garden makeover. 

Why is it that every house we have lived in seems to have an untamed leylandii hedge that shades the rest of the garden? Do you know of any plants that likes to live in the shade of an evergreen hedge? I would like some suggestions please. I actually enjoy creating a garden but I am no expert. I can never remember the names of the plants I put in. My gardening advice would be - if it grows leave it there - if it doesn't, move it!

The untamed hedge.

The vegetable plot?

 I have started on the vegetable plot although it does seem to be rather shaded by trees. I have transferred some or our raspberry plants and excavated large amounts of old builders rubbish (not our present builder). The spade decide to give up at this point and it  bent in half.

First bed

So I have spent the last two evenings on my hands and knees moving gravel and sheeting that covered more builders rubble. I have now begun to plant this area with cuttings and spare plants from our other gardens. All the time I am planning the layout and thinking how to tackle it. I relish the challenge - especially with summer coming up. Which reminds me, I must check we have plenty of water butts. 

So I am looking forward  - this move is really happening and I must trust that this is where we are meant to be.

Moving on

The back room boys (and girls)  have been busy at work arranging our move to a new parish. It is amazing how so many different pieces are beginning to fit together. The reality of it all hit home yesterday when the possible new curate for our present parish came to see round our house. The house will be filled with a family and that will be so much better than The Curate rattling around on his own. We are unable to see our new home as there are tenants in it but we trust that we will enjoy living there as everything else is slotting together. Of course, we both are having moments of wondering if this is the right thing to do - but we have to trust it is. The Curate is sad to be leaving a parish that has made him so welcome but he is also excited at the prospect of working in a different setting. It might take a little getting use to having to share the house full time with me again instead of me being a visitor. Who is going to do the cooking? !
  It will be a relief to be able to be open with people who have presumed we are staying for the full curacy. We have been unable to talk about looking for a move until letters had been exchanged. The date has yet to be set but it will probably be May before we actually leave. Tomorrow our move and the part time vicar's retirement will be announced to everyone in the morning service. I feel that I have failed.